PRESS QUOTES & REVIEWS

"Franca (the terrific Ariela Morgenstern) nurses her resentment of the casual infidelity of her husband"

- Peter Marks, The Washington Post

“Morgenstern's operatic woe is a standout."

- Robert Hurwitt, The San Francisco Chronicle

“Morgenstern gets her own in "Aiutami," hilariously addressing the audience in English amid her family's Italian wailing to acknowledge that no one knows what they're talking about.”

- David Wilcox, The Auburn Citizen

NEXT TO NORMAL - Baltimore Center Stage, MD

“Diana's ups and downs, her attempts to make sense of what's spinning around inside her, are conveyed with considerable skill by Ariela Morgenstern.”

- Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun

“…Playing the leading role of Diana is the incredibly talented Ariela Morgenstern who is a trained opera singer and is equally a terrific actress. She covers the wide variety of music exceptionally well.”

- Charles Shubow, BroadwayWorld.com

“Ariela Morgenstern is a formidable presence, commanding the stage confidently, taking the audience from the brightest hope to the deepest despair and then back again. It is a searing portrayal, as her character’s pain and strength are equally evident. Consistent throughout, Morgensten sings magnificently, with an effortless quality perfectly suiting the tone and pace of the conversational moments of the production.

“Mezzo-soprano Ariela Morgenstern was a vivacious and crisply sung Berta.”

- Joshua Kosman, The San Francisco Chronicle

“Rossini tenders an unexpected aria to Bartolo's maid, Berta, in this case a chance for Ariela Morgenstern to strut her vocal as well as comedic talents. “

- Scott MacClelland, San Jose Metroactive

THE THREEPENNY OPERA - West Bay Opera, CA

"Ariela Morgenstern slams it out of the park. She's the ultimate sultry good-girl-gone-bad, prostitute with a heart, practical and lovelorn at the same time. As many times as I've seen "Threepenny," I've seldom seen this role better sung or acted -- she's a knockout."

- Jeanie Forte, Palo Alto Weekly

WEILL CABARET - Cafe Proust, CA

"During a recent Kurt Weill tribute in a small, now-closed cafe, I found myself unexpectedly overcome by the vocal prowess of mezzo-soprano Ariela Morgenstern. Having already awed audiences in Austria with the same repertoire, she toyed with us, emphasizing her theatrical training and lusty good humor, as well as the ribald nature of the songs. During the encore, however, she revisited the role of Carmen, and our jaws dropped...her voice alone would be worth the price of admission."

- Silke Tudor, SF Weekly

CARMEN - San Francisco Lyric Opera, CA

"The truth must be told: Opera goes better with such beautiful, fiery singing actresses as Ariela Morgenstern."

- Janos Gereben, SFClassicalVoice.com

THE BURIAL AT THEBES - Brava Theatre, CA

"This dark tale finds vibrant color in the toe-tapping tunes from a four-piece band and the versatile vocals of Ariela Morgenstern, who sings three jazzy treasures...and an impressive a cappella dirge."